Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

The iron gate slowly opened, and before Shen Lang's eyes, a scene of hell unfolded like a painting.

The ground was covered in blood, like a sea of ​​blood, and severed limbs and broken branches could be seen from time to time.

The long ropes, winding like venomous snakes, were woven entirely from human sinews, with ghostly human skins hanging on them, clearly freshly peeled off.

The corner of the wall was piled high with human bones, and in the iron cage hanging above, there was a group of living people dressed in rags like beggars, constantly emitting hoarse cries of pleas for mercy like pigs being slaughtered.

Of course, what's even more terrifying is that in the center are several covered medicine cauldrons with charcoal burning underneath, and wisps of bloody vapor emanating from the gaps in the lids.

"This is……"

Shen Lang's expression remained calm, but his heart was already churning with turbulent emotions.

He knew that the sects were deeply rooted in this continent, but he never expected them to be so cruel.

Xue Wuying replied, "Brother Shen, there's no need to be surprised. These are all medicinal herbs for alchemy."

"Medicinal herbs?" Shen Lang frowned. "You mean using people as medicinal herbs?"

Xue Wuying nodded, completely unconcerned about the scene before him: "These ordinary mortals were nothing more than ants when martial arts were at their peak."

In the eyes of martial artists, they are not even human; they are merely medicinal herbs that can be used at any time.

Shen Lang's lips curled into a smile: "So what kind of pills are these medicinal herbs being refined into?"

Xue Wuying did not answer the question directly, but simply waved his hand and said, "Brother Shen, come with me."

The two arrived in front of a medicine cauldron, and Xue Wuying directly asked one of the alchemists, "How is the pill refining going?"

The alchemist respectfully replied, "In response to Sect Leader Xue, your arrival is perfectly timed; this medicine cauldron is just about to be started."

As he spoke, he ordered his men to pull together the chain hanging on the lid of the cauldron.

As the lid of the cauldron was slowly opened, a pungent and nauseating smell of blood instantly filled the air.

The alchemist immediately took two pills from the smoking cauldron and handed them to Xue Wuying.

Xue Wuying, holding two pills between his fingers, smiled and said to Shen Lang, "I heard that Fellow Daoist Shen once ate rice and meat at the border."

Why not try the Mysterious Heaven Pill and the Bliss Pill, made by combining virgin boys and girls with seventeen rare medicinal herbs?

Shen Lang: "I think Sect Leader Xue must be mistaken. I did not eat people; I was framed."

Xue Wuying laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Shen, the news of your cannibalism is circulating in the capital. Whether you really cannibalism or not, you must try these two pills."

"What if I don't eat it?" Shen Lang's eyes turned cold.

"Not eating? Hahaha..."

Xue Wuying sneered.

“If you don’t eat, Fellow Daoist Shen, I’m afraid you won’t be able to leave here.”

"hehe."

Shen Lang glanced around.

"Sect Leader Xue, it's not that I, Shen Lang, am being arrogant, but with your people, I'm afraid you might not be able to subdue me."

"Fellow Daoist Shen had better think this through. Now that you're wanted by the Empress of Great Chu, you're doomed. Without our help..."

You have absolutely no chance of leaving the Great Chu Kingdom alive. Only by cooperating with us will you have a sliver of hope. Let me tell you the truth.

From the day you had that accident, our various sects received the news, and opinions were divided on whether to kill you or protect you.

The key lies in Fellow Daoist Shen's choice. You are very lucky; my Qingyi Sect wants to protect you and fight against the imperial court together.

But you'll have to show some sincerity and take these two pills. We guarantee you'll survive unharmed.

Otherwise, not only will Xin Hao be determined to hunt you down, but all the major sects of the martial arts world will also come after you to cause trouble. Where could Fellow Daoist Shen run then?

After saying that, he handed the pill to Shen Lang.

Shen Lang took the pill and studied it in his palm for a while.

"What are the effects of this elixir?"

"After taking the Xuan Tian Dan, one can prolong life, become immune to water and fire, and enhance one's cultivation foundation."

As for this elixir of bliss, it can preserve one's youthful appearance, grant immortality, and ensure a life free from illness and disease.

"Eat quickly, eat now!"

Shen Lang gripped the two pills tightly and asked, "Are they really that miraculous? Does that mean Sect Leader Xue also takes these two pills regularly?"

"That's natural."

A green light gradually appeared in Xue Wuying's eyes.

"Since taking these two pills, I feel much younger."

You might even see the Great Sun Buddha and the Three Pure Ones chanting scriptures and preaching the Tao right before your eyes.

That taste, once you've experienced it, you'll never want to leave! Hahaha.

As he spoke, his expression gradually became frantic.

To Shen Lang, that laughter sounded completely inhuman.

Shen Lang put away the two pills and said, "Such good pills, I must study them slowly."

Xue Wuying's expression changed: "Fellow Daoist Shen, you must take this medicine here, or you can forget about taking it out."

"Sorry, the smell of blood here is too strong, I'm not used to it for a while."

After saying that, Shen Lang turned and left without stopping for a moment.

"Stop! Don't move!"

Xue Wuying suddenly shouted loudly and decisively launched an attack.

Instantly, hundreds of Qingyi Sect disciples surrounded Shen Lang's path.

Shen Lang remained unfazed, glancing back at Xue Wuying and asking, "What, are you trying to force me to fight you?"

"After taking this medicine, you will be one of us from now on. Otherwise, you will have no place in either the imperial court or the martial arts world."

"Is it?"

Shen Lang stood with his hands behind his back, completely ignoring Xue Wuying's threat.

"Then I'd like to see what kind of ability you have to force me to do something I don't want to do."

Xue Wuying's eyes turned cold, and he slowly raised his hand: "Since that's the case, then..."

boom--

Suddenly a loud bang rang out overhead, and dust fell to the ground.

"what happened?"

Everyone was stunned.

boom--

Another deafening roar shook the underground chamber, causing the stone walls to crack.

"Report! Sect Master, something terrible has happened!"

A disciple came to report, his face covered in blood.

"A government army suddenly stormed into the sect. They used some kind of magical weapon, and instantly killed more than a dozen brothers."

boom--

As if in response to the disciple's words, another roar resounded.

Xue Wuying was shocked: "Why did the government troops suddenly appear here?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Lang immediately said, "If I'm not mistaken, these are government troops' howitzers. Sect Leader Xue, it seems that the news of my hiding place has been leaked."

"Let's go out and take a look first."

Xue Wuying ignored Shen Lang's words and led the way up into the tunnel.

When he stepped out from inside the artificial hill, he was instantly dumbfounded by the scene before him.

The ground was covered in ruins, and the Qingyi Sect disciples who had been killed in the explosion were everywhere.

Before he could ask what had happened, another disciple came to report: "Sect Master, something terrible has happened! The government troops have invaded the sect."

"Call upon all Qingyi Sect disciples to follow me to the front hall and stand guard. I'll be there soon. Tell them that no one is allowed to cause trouble. These petty government troops can't do anything to my Qingyi Sect!"

"Yes!"

No sooner had the disciple left to receive the order than Xue Wuying and his men followed him inside.

As soon as the group arrived at the front hall, Lü Meng's troops had already broken down the door.

Zhuque led two companies of soldiers and stormed directly into the main hall.

"Who are you?"

Xue Wuying asked.

Zhuque did not answer, but simply scanned the crowd before finally fixing her gaze on Shen Lang.

"Sure enough, we received a secret report here: the Green Robe Sect is harboring a wanted criminal of the imperial court, intending to commit treason. The entire sect should be executed!"

Xue Wuying felt a chill on his forehead.

Before he could say anything, Zhuque uttered a single, chilling word: "Kill!"